Acts 5: Bold Acts

Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men! The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” -Acts 5:29-32 NIV

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. Acts 5:41 NIV

Acts contains exactly what it says it does...the acts of brave men, the followers left behind after Jesus' death and resurrection, who acted in spite of vocal and sometimes life threatening opposition.  It's in contrast with our tepid response to opposition today.  No wonder, we see so few miracles.  We have so little faith.  We don't have the faith that accrues from seeing people healed or raised from the dead.  We don't have the faith that grows from persecution and ostracization, the faith that God's people have had through the years.  Joseph, Moses, the prophets, even, David, felt ostracized, and faced it head on.

Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. -Ps. 36:1-6 NIV

Sometimes, I want to say bring it on.  Bring on the ungodly, unbelieving, unrepentant, society and governments that will cause my faith to grow.  Bring on the persecution that would force me to stand up boldly for my faith.  Bring on opposition and ridicule.  Build my faith, bring it on!